Sunday, June 23, 2013

Demons & God's Power

Today at Divine Liturgy, for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, we hear the Gospel of the exorcism into swine (Mt 8:28-9:1). There are several lessons we can take from this passage. Besides the fact that the Devil and his demonic and human minions really do exist and really are trying to destroy us, one lesson is that no matter how much trouble the devil and the world can give us (for the entire world has been the kingdom of the devil since the fall of Adam), God is more powerful. So much so, that the Gerasens were more intimidated by Christ's brief show of power than they were by the demons who had lived there for some time.

It is truly meet to bless thee O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of Our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and by far more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption thou didst bear God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify thee!